29 AUG: Europe’s Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is being sued by 138 former passengers over outbreaks of gastric illness on the liner Boudicca over the past two years.
The holidaymakers are accusing the line of "repeatedly failing to protect their health".
A law firms handling their case says it is aware of illness on nine Boudicca sailings since October 2009.
Fred Olsen accepts that outbreaks occurred, but says symptoms were indicative of norovirus, a common cause of infectious gastroenteritis which it says is beyond its control.
"Norovirus is very infectious and can spread to other people very quickly", the company said.
"The health, safety and well-being of our guests and staff on board remains our priority at all times".
